Brodmann area 39 corresponds to which anatomical structure?

• A. Supramarginal gyrus
• B. Pars opercularis
• C. Heschl's gyrus
• D. Angular gyrus

Answer: (D)

Brodmann area 39 is the angular gyrus, located in the posterior part of the inferior parietal lobule near the temporo-parietal junction. This region is tied to higher-level language and semantic processing, as well as tasks like reading, writing, and number processing. Clinically, damage here on the dominant side can lead to Gerstmann syndrome, highlighting its role in complex cognitive functions.

The other structures are not associated with this Brodmann area: the supramarginal gyrus sits just anterior to the angular gyrus and corresponds to a different Brodmann area (40); the pars opercularis is part of the frontal lobe involved in language production (Broca’s area); and Heschl’s gyrus is the primary auditory cortex in the temporal lobe (transverse temporal gyrus, involved in basic auditory processing).